The Law. Working or Volunteering in Thailand.

[jpinx]

Well the whole point of this is either go through all the hoops and hope you have jumped them all at the risk of being deported or just avoid helping anyone.

I am afraid to say that the ludicrous xenophobia here makes it difficult for people from a more giving society or more giving disposition if you like, to do anything to help anyone.

I think the Thai really have an issue where:

They think they are educated - but the level is much worse than they think they are comparing to;

They think they understand democracy - but they have no understanding of the principles beyond the obvious;

They think that they can keep the poor poor for ever and therefore buy their vote for a pittance;

They think they have nothing to learn from foreigners when they everything to gain and little to lose ( foreigners can learn from Thais too though);

Thy are so stuck up with their face, they miss the true reality of things and make themselves ridiculous but just cannot see it.

Until they change their laws to be more transparent instead of an excuse for every scumbag to extort you for pretty much anything you do, my suggestion would be to keep your head as low as possible. You only need upset one person even unintentionally for the full force of the law to descend on you,if it is the wrong person you upset.

Why take the risk?

If you have such a low opinion of Thai people, society and culture -- why are you here (assuming you are)?

Similar "accusations" could be levelled at many cultures world-wide, but the point is badly made. Every culture is different in many ways, thereby creating the rich mixture that makes up humanity. One culture being vociferous in imposing itself on others is how conflict and wars start.

[manarak]

Head of Immigration says No Problem

Get a signed letter from immigration authorizing you to do it. Problem solved.

Wow... Is it that easy? Their are requirements of the Thai education ministry, then there is the legal frame work, check with a lawyer at the ministry of trade and commerce, they will give you the road map an the introduction to requirements, of both the education ministry and the ministry of immigration. Even that brought us down to a polite no.... You have to get a work permit and have your certificates to be approved by the requirements of the ministry of education.

My understanding is that a letter from the local chief of immigration will prevent any prosecution for working without WP, because immigration is responsible for enforcement. That would be enough for me.

From the OP I understood he was requested by the local headmaster to work casually at the school, not as a permanent teacher responsible for official cursus classes. So my thought was that as long as OP doesn't get busted for working without WP, everything is fine.

Now if you want to do everything by the book and not only get a work permit but also an offcial position as a teacher approved by the ministry of education, that's another story.

[Sceptict11]

manarak

Work permits are of no concern to immigration officers. Violation of immigration rules are their concern.

"Working" without a permit is a concern of both the Department Labour and Immigration.

Failure to produce a work permit will result in problems if a person is caught "working".

Police, Immigration Officers and Officials from the DL often work in tandem in their efforts to identify the "illegals"

Much the same in your country of origin I would guess.

Edited September 21, 2013 by Sceptict11

[pitchag]

"I have no intention whatsoever of applying for a work permit..."

Why not? You would then be eligible to work for pay or as a volunteer.

The immigration office doesn't have anything to do with work permits. They are issued by the Labor Office.

You can get a work permit with an extension based on marriage. Have the school talk to someone at the Labor Office for details of what they'll need to do to apply for a work permit for you.

I don't have links to the laws, but you can probably get that info from the pinned topics at the top of the forum.

i know a few guys working free as tourist police in Pattaya and udon to my knowledge non of them have a working visa is it different rules working for the police

[masuk]

"Are you suggesting I can get a WP that would have absolutely no effect on my current visa status?"

Yes, I am.

If you stopped working, your extension would only end if it was based on working, not if it's based on marriage.

I did it myself for a number of years.

If you decide not to take the job, how about posting info or referring people to the school. Others might be interested.

My retirement extension is about to commence. I have no Thai wife so it's an extension of my Non-B visa which I obtained last year in case I could work, but my technical qualifications do not equate to a Bachelor degree in bee keeping or whatever they're asking for, so I just left things be.

I have a TEFLA certificate and taught English in Indonesia for 6 years, and had thought of looking for volunteer work, but every organisation wanted a lot of money up front.

Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?

[Mario2008]

Those organisations generally are for short term volunteers, and do not provide work eprmits etc. Most times it is just a way of making money unde the pretext that you volunteer (and often they let you foot the bill at inflated prices for food and lodging).

There are enough organisations/schools where you can volunteer for free.

[jpinx]

-----------

My retirement extension is about to commence. I have no Thai wife so it's an extension of my Non-B visa which I obtained last year in case I could work, but my technical qualifications do not equate to a Bachelor degree in bee keeping or whatever they're asking for, so I just left things be.

I have a TEFLA certificate and taught English in Indonesia for 6 years, and had thought of looking for volunteer work, but every organisation wanted a lot of money up front.

Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?

"... money up front...." for what ?

See previous comments regarding voluntary work. It would appear that you will need a work permit and you might want to consider some liability insurance